Is your canine buddy on the talkative side? Just like people, dogs all have their own personalities. Some pooches are usually quiet, and only bark to let you know there’s someone at the door. Others will speak up about, well, pretty much everything, from the moth in the kitchen to the neighbor trimming his yard. Why does Fido talk so much? A vet offers a few possible reasons below. Loneliness Dogs are very sociable, and … Read More »

Watching a cat play can be very cute and fun. Our feline friends are definitely quite frisky! Fluffy’s idea of play doesn’t always sync up with ours, however. Cats are predators, and play fighting stimulates their natural hunting instincts. This often translates into kitties that equate biting with fun! If your kitty has a habit of chomping on you when she’s feeling frisky, you’ll want to take steps to correct her behavior. After all, those … Read More »

Does your kitty often wake you in the middle of the night? Fluffy may be adorable when she plays with her favorite toys, but her antics are probably not as cute when you’re trying to sleep. Below, you’ll learn a few tricks to help stop a nocturnal feline from keeping you up at night. Playtime Playing is good for your cat in many ways, both mentally and physically. Play sessions give your furball a chance … Read More »

Your brand-new puppy Dozer just hit your house like a tiny canine whirlwind. Earlier this week, you adopted this seven-week-old retriever mix through an animal rescue group. When he arrived home, this frenzied little pooch sniffed out every corner before thrashing his toys into submission. Next, he began nipping at your ankles. Although you can dismiss his chewing behavior now, it won’t be so amusing when he’s a full-grown dog with more impressive choppers. Clearly, … Read More »

Your two male cats look like prize fighters lately. Four-year-old Buster has been battling it out with five-year-old Rocky — and you haven’t seen a clear winner. They regularly thrash on the floor, rolling and spinning until one gets up and walks away. You know many cats engage in this play fighting behavior. You haven’t noticed any real aggression, so you haven’t broken up the warriors. When your scrappy feline housemates get annual physical checkups, … Read More »

Did you know that cat towers are actually very good for our feline friends? While providing quality food, fresh water, a clean litterbox, lots of love, and a few toys will see to Fluffy’s basic needs, a cat tower will provide several great benefits. In this article, your local vet lists five reasons to get Kitty a tower. Entertainment Setting a cat tower in front of a window with a view is almost guaranteed to … Read More »

As your dog’s body changes in his older years, his behavior will very likely change as well. Here, a Ludington vet discusses some of the more common changes and what you can do about them. Waking at Night Many older dogs have trouble holding their bladders the whole night through. Hearing loss, vision loss, or pain could also be affecting his sleep patterns, leading him to wake up and pace around the house. You can … Read More »

Your cat Chloe must have belonged to a feline high-wire troupe in another life. Sweet little Chloe hangs out on the couch all day, and she can barely be bothered to occasionally walk over to her food and water. However, Chloe somehow summons the energy to hop on the kitchen counters several times each day. You’ve caught Chloe patrolling her domain after you shredded a cooked chicken for a casserole, and while you were making … Read More »

Your dog Chaz has gotten yard digging down to a fine art. In fact, he’s so good at systematically tearing up the back yard, he could start his own excavation business. Some days he works on the portion near the window; then he switches to the section along the fence. Clearly, he’s on a mission, but it’s sure not improving the value of your property. You’d like to understand why he does it, and you’d … Read More »

Housetraining a new puppy will probably not be the easiest thing you’ve ever done—with some patience, consistency, and the right techniques, though, you can make it go as quickly and smoothly as possible. Try these tips from your Ludington veterinary professional. Use the Same Bathroom Spot It’s extremely important to use the same spot outside every time you take your puppy to the bathroom. Don’t confuse your pup by allowing her to eliminate anywhere in … Read More »